Q I have a suggested name after reading several columns about the potholes on Highway 101 near Highway 85 in Mountain View -- Hubcap Alley!

Frank R.

Menlo Park

A Fits perfectly. Readers have reported dozens of hubcaps lining the shoulder of 101 through this area as a result of crashes and potholes.

Q I was stuck in the northbound lane of Highway 101 last Thursday at about 3 p.m. after the 85 onramp. KCBS said that our beloved Caltrans was filling potholes on the southbound side in that area. What was killing the northbound commute was a fender bender in the right lane and what looked like a stalled vehicle -- probably exacerbated by Caltrans activity on the other side.

Why didn't Caltrans schedule this away from commute time? It seemed they were cost-shifting this exercise onto the traveling public in terms of time wasted, more gas burned, wear and tear on brakes, and the inevitable crash. Why couldn't this have been done after 8 p. m.?

Dale Lucks

Campbell

A Emergency repairs were under way, and I stress emergency. This has to be the most pothole-riddled roadway in the Bay Area. Read on.

Q I was the driver of one of many cars that hit a boulder on 101 southbound Christmas Eve around 8 p.m. in the Mountain View area. Anyone know how it got there? Lots of cars had to be towed. I was able to drive home but took it to a body shop and insurance will be paying $2,500 in damages. Many people had more damage than I did.

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Mike Dooley

San Jose

A And ...

Q I recently hit the pothole in the No. 2 lane on 101 about 200 yards south of Rengstorff Avenue. It broke both wheels on my Yamaha and I ended up with two flats. I am sending in a claim for the $1,800 worth of damage. Luckily I did not crash.

About two hours later I was driving my truck through the same area and there were two cars with flat tires. With all the construction going on in the area, how can Caltrans NOT be aware of such potholes and repair them before they get so bad?

The pothole I hit was caused by a seam in the right side of lane No. 2. The seam divided the concrete to the right and the asphalt to the left and was about 15 feet long and ended in a hole that was several inches deep and about a foot wide.

George Leavell

San Jose

A Time for more action. This week Caltrans will begin replacing concrete slabs and make more pothole repairs as needed. The state tries to avoid working during commute hours, but conditions were so bad that once crews were on the freeway they stayed until the job was done.

Q Gary, in the situation where a driver was facing another driver going the wrong way on the freeway, the best thing to do is to get out of the way of the oncoming driver. You must immediately react defensively to the situation, so either steer right or left, but get as far away from the oncoming vehicle as you can.

Another thing you can do is honk your horn or flash your lights at the oncoming car, but only if you have time. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer in this situation, as it depends on how fast the oncoming car is coming and your surrounding environment.

When you can and if you are pulled over to the side of the road, then call 911, but I'm sure many others will be doing the same. So if it is not safe to pull over, then don't feel obligated to call 911 and report it.

Lt. Mike Kihmm

San Jose Police Department

A One further note. This is Lieutenant Mike's final Roadshow appearance. He has transferred to another unit and will be missed. He has answered so many of your questions and is one of the many who tolerate my pestering with email after email. Adios, pal.